Sunday, October 5, 2008

REGISTER, REGISTER!!! VOTE, VOTE!!!

**** Quick Reminder***** Monday, October 6, 2008 is the last day to register to vote in Virginia. You can complete the application on-line, by mail or in person at your local registrar office.

I wanted to take time out and focus on the political race and how celebrities are supporting their pick for President.

Below is a video produced by Voter Video Network. It is a slide show of candidates that are supporting Barack Obama this year.


The Daily Standard has an article listing the celebrities supporters for John McCain.

All over Virginia, celebrities are getting out there to support Obama. Just today at church, actor Blair Underwood spoke to the congregation at St. Paul's Baptist church encouraging people to get registered and get out and VOTE!

And about a month ago, actor Marlon Wayans, actresses Tatyana Ali and Jurnee Smollett came to the Hyperlink Cafe in Richmond to encourage people to vote also.



Celebrities are really getting involved and their celebrity statuses are motivating people to get out and vote. I think this is great because voters are seeing how serious everyone is taking this election.

I thought it was interesting to also see how some celebrities may not be putting out there who they are voting for, but want people to just get out there and vote. I thought that the commercial produced by Leonardo DiCaprio encouraging people not to vote was a great way to get people to actually vote. The commercial is below.


So I think celebrities are perfoming their community duties and leading the way to help America become a better society.
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Graduate Work

Much preparation proves successful for grads

Students at Midlothian High School have been preparing to end one chapter while starting a new one at their graduation commencement.

Christopher Shelton hangs out with friends backstage at the Siegel Center as he awaits his graduation. As Shelton looks back over many years of hard work, he realizes he is spending the last minutes of being a senior at Midlothian High School.

Shelton is nervous, but excited at the same time.

“Since the first day of my senior year I have been looking forward to this day,” said Shelton. “I made sure I did all my work, kept studying, kept good grades and always held on hope.” He will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall majoring in computer engineering.

Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties high school graduations are held at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Stuart C. Siegel Center. VCU hosts 26 graduations at its 190,000 square foot facility.

Many behind the scenes preparations help make this day for Shelton and the other 341 seniors at Midlothian High School a day they will never forget. Parking passes are issued, roads are blocked, security is in place and chairs are organized.

There are close interactions between senior class faculty sponsors and officials at VCU. Nate Doughty, associate director of the Siegel Center and Athletic Facilities, said it is great public relations.

“This is a great way for VCU to give back to the community,” said Doughty. “We fit the need and it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Eileen Sunseri, senior class sponsor at Midlothian High School, is already planning for the 2009 commencement ceremony. Preparations for an event that involves students, families, faculty and the community is a year round affair.

Sunseri describes the graduation process as “controlled chaos.”

“We get started in October when the students are measured for their caps and gowns,” said Sunseri. “Most planning really starts in March. VCU sends us the date, time and schedules. In mid-May there is a walk through where we receive maps, parking passes and information to give to the parents.”

Doughty said the biggest headache is parking. Traffic on VCU’s campus is congested and heavy during these times. There are between 300 to 500 graduates for each ceremony. On average, there are three graduations a day during this 11-day period yielding more than 1300 vehicles for each graduation.

VCU Enforcement and Safety Coordinator Lou Ann Jones has overseen this process for the past four years. Each year changes are made to make sure the entire graduation process is a success.

Between 100 to 150 people work during graduations.

“The secret is teamwork,” said Jones. “The school systems, Siegel Center staff, deck staff, enforcement staff and the VCU Police Department work closely to assure that everything run smoothly.”

During graduation regular traffic is not stopped. Jones said that so far they have done a great job with accommodating everyone.

“Our goal for these graduations is to make them as safe and happy as possible for all involved,” said Jones.

Shelton could not be more happier as he hugs his friends and takes pictures to capture last memories. He reunites with his parents.

His mother Debra Shelton said that the entire process leading up to graduation has been a smooth one.

“I thought the graduation was wonderful and well organized,” said Debra. “I was impressed.”